BERHAMPUR: The helmet rule will be made compulsory for both two-wheeler riders and those riding pillion in Ganjam district . Initially it will be strictly enforced on the national highways (NHs) while later it will be extended to other parts of the district. District collector Prem Chandra Chaudhury will write to SPs of Ganjam and Berhampur to strictly enforce the helmet rule for pillion riders too on the NHs. He said it in the district revenue meeting held at Chhatrapur on Wednesday."The drive will be taken up under Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and the fine would be collected from the pillion riders," said regional transport officer (RTO), Ganjam, Saroj Kumar Biswal. The district administration had made helmet compulsory for the bike riders on August 16, 2016, and created massive awareness in this regard."Most of the bike riders are now using helmet in Ganjam after the district administration strictly enforced the rule and imposed fines on the offenders. District administration will now made helmet compulsory for pillion riders on the NHs because of the speed of the vehicle is high and pillion riders are also vulnerable to fatal accidents," said the RTO.Fatal incidents might be reduced if both bike and pillion riders abide by the road safety norms like wearing helmets, said inspector in-charge, traffic police, Berhampur, S K Kishan.As many as 205 persons died in the road accidents in the district during the first six months this year. The highest death toll (60) was reported in April, an official said. The fatal accidents reduced to May (35) and June (19), the official added.Police and transport officials intensified checking to crack down on reckless driving and driving without helmets and documents, the RTO said. It was one of the reasons for fall in number of fatal accidents, he said.Driving licences of 580 persons were suspended in the first three months of this year. Last year, licences of 2,370 people were suspended due to violation of road safety norms, said the RTO.

Stay updated with all the Latest Cuttack headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.